Name: Abby Reed
Age: 40
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Occupation: Executive director of a nonprofit
Time Running: Almost a year and a half
Reason for Running: Physically and mentally running makes me feel better!
From an early age, I was self conscious of my appearance—especially my weight. My parents loved me, but they struggled with their own addictions and issues. Our home environment didn’t foster the healthiest attitudes toward food. For example, my brother and I always had to have permission before we ate and we had to clear everything off of our plates. We weren’t allowed to have candy or treats often, but we watched our parents indulge frequently. This fostered a distorted relationship with food for me—I would sneak food when no one was looking or sometimes even binge.
High school further had its ups and downs in regards to my weight, but I never crossed 165 pounds. Still, I was curvier than my classmates and was often picked on about it. I pushed myself to do sports like basketball, cheerleading, and long-distance running, even though I wasn’t particularly good at any of them.
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College was another roller coaster of emotions and weight fluctuations. I suddenly had the freedom to eat what I wanted, when I wanted, so I hit close to 200 pounds at one point. I tried dieting and diet pills, but never found a way to maintain a healthy weight.
After college, I tied the knot and started a career as a TV news reporter and anchor. But my weight was all over the place. Being in front of the camera constantly made me even more aware of how I looked. There were some bosses who weren’t shy about asking me to lose weight. I even had a viewer tell me to wear more flattering clothes because I looked “chubby” on air.
After 14 years in TV, I moved to nonprofit work in late 2015, and by then, I had one daughter at home and soon welcomed my second daughter in early 2017. With the pressure of being on camera gone, I quit dieting and the weight began piling on.
When COVID hit in early 2020, I was at my heaviest—more than 250 pounds. I couldn’t stand having my photo taken, and avoided going places where people might recognize me.
However, the real wake-up call came in 2021. My husband and I went through the heartbreak of a pregnancy loss. I was also dealing with joint pain and fatigue, to the point where I didn’t want to play outside with my girls. That’s when I knew something had to change.
I’ve always had a pull toward running. There were numerous times in my life when I tried to commit to it, but somehow, there was always a reason to stop. Plus, I didn’t have anyone to guide me on how to do it right. I had often looked at runners admiring their dedication and determination. I wanted to be someone who could start a race and power through to the finish line.
Then, one day in 2021, I was scrolling Facebook when a post caught my eye about STRIDE Fitness, a new boutique running studio launching in our town in Texas. I decided to give it a shot and signed up.
In January 2022, I attended the inaugural session. The feeling was more than just jitters; it was a cocktail of trepidation, self-consciousness, and a genuine concern that I might be the only non-athlete in the room. My first class was hard, but I was able to do it (barely). The coaches met me where I was and applauded me at every level of progress. STRIDE didn’t just offer me a workout, it introduced me to a community full of camaraderie, inspiration, and discipline.
When I first started with STRIDE, I committed to hitting the studio at least five times a week, sometimes more. I kept my initial goals small but significant: I aimed to run through an entire class, to keep my heart rate stable, and of course, to shed some pounds. To my surprise, I started hitting these targets more quickly than I expected!
Within six months, I had lost about 50 pounds and was breezing through full classes without needing to walk.
In July 2022, I ran the STRIDE 5K. Finishing that race filled me with such a sense of achievement. Then in November, I was running our local Turkey Trot race. The cherry on top came in March 2023—on my 40th birthday—when I tackled the Tucson Shamrock Half Marathon.
Back in 2021, when I first started running I also decided to go gluten-free, as my doctor recommended it to me to help manage my polycystic ovarian syndrome and a few other unpleasant physical symptoms. About a month in, many of the health issues I had been dealing with had subsided and I was feeling fantastic!
Going gluten-free made me more aware and intentional about my food choices. Eating out or planning meals required a bit more thought and preparation, which naturally pushed me toward healthier options. It also helped me reframe how I saw food, shifting from viewing it as yummy treats to more of a source of fuel. Don’t get me wrong, I still love food and usually can enjoy what I want, but my relationship with food has totally changed.
Physically, running has been a game-changer. I’ve shed more than 70 pounds and my body just feels better overall—my joints are happier, I’m no longer constantly battling inflammation, or feeling exhausted. There’s nothing quite like the surge of accomplishment after wrapping up a running class—I feel like I’ve conquered the world!
Mentally, running has done wonders for my self-esteem. There’s an undeniable sense of pride that comes when I see the distance I’ve covered in a class or when I smash a personal speed record. Plus, it’s been an effective tool for managing my anxiety.
Emotionally, running has gifted me a space where I can be unapologetically me. The bonds I’ve found in the running community are incredibly special. Running isn’t just an exercise routine for me anymore, it’s turned into a passion and a beloved hobby.
Seeing the pride in my daughters’ eyes is priceless. They proudly tell their friends, “My mom’s a runner!” Running has been a catalyst for change in my life. It’s helped me to become someone I’m proud of for my daughters.
Before I discovered running, I had little confidence. I found it difficult to look in the mirror, dodged social events, and carried a burden of shame. Now, things have shifted significantly as running has provided a new lens to look at my life. I now look forward to experiences and cherish quality time spent with loved ones.
These tips have made my running journey a success:
1. Start at your own pace
Don’t feel the need to keep up with others. Running is a personal journey, and it’s important to start where you are and progress at your own rate. Embrace the journey, and remember, each run brings you one step closer to a healthier, happier you.
2. Know the difference between motivation and commitment
You won’t always feel motivated to run, but if you are committed, that won’t matter. It’s also about making that commitment to yourself. Commit to yourself and mean it. Follow through.
3. Listen to your body
Rest when you need to and don’t push yourself too hard to avoid injury. Remember, it’s okay to have days off. Recovery is an important part of the process.
4. Find a supportive community
A workout community can provide encouragement, motivation, and camaraderie. This can be particularly valuable on those tougher days when you need a bit of a boost.
Abby’s Must-Have Gear
→ HOKA Bondi 8: Good running shoes are so important. I like a cushiony foot pad and these deliver for sure. I’m also a fan of Hoka’s Clifton running shoes.
→ Shefit Ultimate Sports Bra: As a curvy girl with larger breasts, a supportive and compressive sports bra is super important. This one has become my favorite for runs.
→ Stanley Iceflow Flip Straw Tumbler: If you are running on a treadmill and have a place to put your water, I highly recommend this tumbler. It keeps my water super cold (which I prefer) and has a convenient flip straw. It also comes in tons of cute colors!
→PonyO Hair Tie: I have been wearing a PonyO for more than 10 years now and especially love them for my runs. They keep my hair pulled back tight without being painful. My hair gets super sweaty during my run, and this allows me to take my pony tail down without ripping my hair out.
Emily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.
